The County 2018 | Aroostook County Tourism | Page 40

THE COUNTY | 2018
A SOUVENIR, A LOCAL BEER, OR EVEN SOME
HIKING GEAR, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
Flies for fishing. Ski wax. Groceries. Maybe a new fatbike for
hitting the wintery trails. Our towns and communities can help
with what you need.
Even though The County is best known for its vast wilderness, outdoor
recreational opportunities, and cultural attractions, we can also provide a
little retail therapy during your visit. Most communities are home to small,
local shops run by friendly folks offering a wide array of products—antiques,
home décor, crafts, food—unique to this region.
Given our lumbering history, it won’t be surprising to find hand-made wood
products for sale, like outdoor furniture made with northern white cedar. You’ll
find everything from handcrafted snowshoes to pottery to jewelry. Gift items
include specialties like ash potato baskets, hand-painted bark ornaments, twig
wreaths, beeswax-based skin care, Amish-made furniture, Scandinavian imports,
and local Native American crafts. And the central Aroostook area is home to
numerous art galleries featuring local and international artists and photographers.
Visit Houlton’s historic Market Square District’s Saturdays open-air market,
where you’ll find locally produced vegetables, meats, cheese, baked goods,
plants, and crafts.
Looking for a little something to take home, maple producers like Spring Break
Maple and Honey in Smyrna Mills, the largest maple candy company in Maine,
is where you’ll find delicious treats and might even get a tour of their sugarhouse.
Along the area’s highways and byways, you’ll find numerous antique shops with
gems harking back to a heritage of farming, seafaring, and logging. Be on the
lookout for thrift shops boasting vintage collectibles direct from the homes of
Aroostook residents. Or you might want to head to one of many outdoor stores
and outfitters to find rugged gear like heavy-duty boots and hunting knives.
For more information on shopping in the region visit our website
or call Judy at 888-216-2463.
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For a more modern shopping experience head to Aroostook Centre Mall in
Presque Isle and the Downtown Caribou Shopping Mall. Planning a trip
over the border to Canada, stop at Duty-Free Americas in Houlton to save on
premium products. Keep an eye out for the excitement of downtown shopping
events. These massive sales, often held at night, are a great way to meet locals
and get great bargains.